The Davidson Family of Rural Hill, North Carolina

With a long-time interest in history, the late Jim Williams concentrated on the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area from 1750 to 1860. Seeking to understand how life was lived in those times, he researched and wrote for magazines and performed first person interpretation at a number of historic sites. He lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. For about thirty years, the late Ann Williams researched and wrote about antebellum piedmont plantations with an emphasis on cotton farming, the cotton economy, and slavery. She wrote and/or edited four books based on the letters, journals, and other personal papers kept by those who were there. She lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

 1. Isabella Ramsay Davidson Hendry, Mother of Major John Davidson

 2. Samuel and Mary Wilson, Parents of Violet Wilson Davidson

 3. The First Generation at Rural Hill: Major John and Violet Davidson

 4. The Davidson Children and Rural Hill

 5. Holly Bend: Robin and Peggy Davidson

 6. Robin and Peggy: Family, Wills and Estates

 7. The Second Generation at Rural Hill: Jacky and Sallie Davidson

 8. The Third Generation at Rural Hill: Brevard and Mary Davidson

 9. Brevard and Mary: Mills, Wills and Children

10. Scientific Farming at Rural Hill

11. Rural Hill: The Last Three Generations

APPENDICES:

A.Davidson Family Genealogy

B.Davidson College

C.Hopewell Presbyterian Church

D.The Lunacy of the Rev. Alexander Caldwell

E.The Story of Plum, Enslaved Man, Freedman, Property Owner

F.A Marriage Deed of Trust

G.Naming Conventions and Other John Davidsons

H.Brevard’s Slave Inventories

I.Road and River Work

J.Iron Making in North Carolina

K.The Value of Money

L.A Confusion of Counties

M.Land Acquisition by Grants and Deeds

N.Major John’s Earliest Land Transactions

O.Land Acquisition by Robert Davidson

P.Courts and Legal Structure

Q.The Court House Law of 1774

Notes

Bibliography

Index